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Ep. 478: The American West

Published: 2023-09-18 09:00:00
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Steven Rinella talks with Elliott West, Randall Williams, Brody Henderson, Phil Taylor, and Corinne Schneider.

Topics discussed: How there are way more history PhDs now than there were before; talking about the dumb shit people do at Yellowstone National Park; when a fight over the last piece of fried chicken shuts down the interstate; a roaming bar in Northern Michigan for hire; how Steve invented an “old saying,” which goes, “a fresh set of eyes will always find more beans”; the Arkansas World Champion Squirrel Cook Off on September 23rd; how the origin of the word “shit” is old; the time when Dr. Randall reviewed the work of our esteemed guest; falling short on teaching American history; horses and disease; why you might call it the Last Indian War; Antietam; Elliott’s lifetime work, Continental Reckoning: The American West in the Age of Expansion; the greatest environmental transformation of the United States and making a new world; when citizenship is forced on you at gunpoint; the greater reconstruction and the great coincidence; humans’ long running obsession with gold; the 48ers; from hide hunter to candy salesman; and more. 

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Referenced Books

Journal of a Trapper
by Osborne Russell
Speaker 1 endorses this book and discusses how historians regard it as spot-on and reliable. They mention that historians like the book and that Osborne Russell was regarded as accurate in his accounts.
Referenced at 00:06:46
Tough Trip through Paradise
by Andrew Garcia
Speaker 1 mentions hearing that historians are somewhat incredulous about this book, suggesting the author may have played fast and loose with facts, though Elliott West hasn't heard this critique. They discuss whether historians can cite it.
Referenced at 00:07:13
The Wager
by David Grann
Referenced in discussion about naval terms and sayings. Speaker 1 mentions having writer David Grant on the podcast to discuss this book about a naval story.
Referenced at 01:23:46
Inherent Vice
by Thomas Pynchon
Speaker 1 mentions this as one of his favorite movies and notes it's a rare instance where the movie is much better than the book. The discussion then shifts to the nautical insurance term 'inherent vice.'
Referenced at 01:24:51
Wild New World
by Dan Flores
Elliott West mentions this as Dan Flores's wonderful new book when discussing the destruction of wildlife in the American West. The book is referenced in context of how the West saw unparalleled wildlife destruction.
Referenced at 01:58:01
American Genocide
by Ben Madley
Elliott West mentions this book about California and discusses that Ben Madley is now writing about Indians and the gold rush. The book deals with the treatment of Native Americans in California.
Referenced at 02:03:32